Taiwan and Japan have opened a new round of talks on fisheries. The talks, set to take place over three days, opened in Taipei on Wednesday.
An existing 2013 agreement allows fishermen from both countries to operate in designated zones, including the waters around Yaeyama Island. The main issue to be discussed at the meeting is fishing regulations, which include fishing methods and the distance to be maintained between fishing boats.
Taiwan’s chief representative at the meeting is Tsai Ming-yaw, head of the Association of East Asian Relations. On Wednesday, Tsai said he hopes the results of the meeting will benefit both Taiwan and Japan. Tsai said he hopes the meeting will establish a foundation for decades of cooperation.
Meanwhile, Japan’s top representative at the meeting, Takashi Hamada said that Japan believes the rules currently in effect need improvement. He said that Japan and Taiwan have a relationship of mutual trust. Hamada said he believes the two sides can solve problems when they arise and work together to deepen exchanges in the area of fisheries.